Jawbone Atrophy After Dentures: What are my options?

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on October 27, 2014 | Comments Off on Jawbone Atrophy After Dentures: What are my options?

Unfortunately, many patients do not realize that the shape of their jaw will change over time as they wear conventional dentures and age without teeth. When the teeth’s roots are absent, the jawbone slowly wears away. As the jaw’s contour evolves, the original denture will lose its fit and need to be re-lined or replaced and lose stability with time. Fortunately, these patients can take advantage of an alternative treatment that offers a more permanent solution.

For patients who have already experienced the phenomenon of jawbone atrophy, All-on-4 dental implants can offer complete stability with a permanently attached full arch of teeth and completely replace conventional dentures.

With All-on-4, the dental implants essentially serve as a structural replacement for the missing teeth’s roots. As such, they help to stimulate the jawbone and help to prevent further resorption.

After the oral surgeon inserts the titanium implants into the patient’s jaw, the surrounding bone forms a bond with the implants. This process, known as osseointegration, allows the implant to become a permanent fixture in the jaw.

Although long-term dental implant success does require adequate bone material to sustain osseointegration, patients who have already suffered from jawbone atrophy can still be good candidates for the All-on-4 procedure.

Since just four implants are needed to support the prosthetic arch and those four implants are placed toward the front of the jaw, patients who have lost some bone at the rear of the jaw can still qualify for All-on-4 implant placement. Typically, the bone at the front of the jaw wears away at a slower rate than that near the back of the jaw.

All-on-4 dental full arch prosthesis is stronger than a conventional denture, which is another benefit of this intervention. For example, the physical connection between the appliance and the jaw will help an implant-supported bridge to chew more effectively.

If you are fed up with frequent trips to your dentist to have your conventional dentures re-lined or replaced, explore All-on-4 dental implants as a more stable solution. Contact ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio at 312-328-9000 to learn more about this treatment option.